The hotel accused of illegally mining and removing sand from Negril is defending itself saying it had been granted a licence to do so.

The Negril Chamber of Commerce yesterday raised an alarm about what it described as what appears to be shady sand mining activities connected to major hotel developments in Negril and elsewhere on the North Coast.

The Chamber called for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Commissioner of Mines and the Jamaica Constabulary Force to intervene.

But the attorney for Karisma Hotels and Resorts in Negril, Christopher  Honeywell, says there is no truth to suggestions of illegal sand mining.

He explains that white sand was discovered during excavation activities on the construction site of the property being built by his client in Negril.

The attorney says following the discovery an application was made to the Commissioner of Lands last December for a quarry licence.

READ: Negril Chamber outraged over sand-mining operations [4]

According to him, the licence was received on December 24.

Honeywell says the sand, which is owned by the developer, is being transported to a property in Llandovery, St. Ann, which is also owned by Karisma.

He stresses that there is nothing untoward being undertaken in regard to the removing of the sand in Negril.

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Meanwhile, Honeywell has confirmed that the police and personnel from NEPA turned up at the site yesterday and shut down construction.

The attorney says the action has left his client feeling wronged by agents of the state.

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Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Mines, Clinton Thompson, confirmed that a legitimate quarry licence was granted to Karisma to remove the sand in Negril.

Both men were speaking on Cliff Hughes Online on Power 106FM.

Attempts to reach NEPA for a comment were unsuccessful.